Gwynedd caravan park's pontoon plan approved with conditions

A five-star caravan park’s bid to build a floating pontoon and pedestrian gangway has been agreed, with conditions.

The scheme is part of improvements at the coastal holiday retreat Gimblet Rock at Morfa’r Garreg, Pwllheli.

Consultation responses during the planning process prompted some worries over the impact on sea-cliff nesting birds, seals, porpoises, dolphins from jet skis and power boats.

Whilst council departments had also noted the site was in a potential location for a future land reclamation scheme using dredged harbour material.

However, the full application for a floating pontoon, and pedestrian gangway supported by steel pile foundations was granted by Gwynedd Council on 1 October.

Conditions imposed included “safeguarding” measures over the amenity of neighbouring properties and/or land, protecting visual amenities, marine wildlife and the environment.

Plans noted the application site was within land leased to Gwynedd Council by The Crown Estate.

It was also within the Pwllheli Harbour area where the council was the relevant harbour authority.

The application was made by W Williams, Pario Leisure Group, Gimblet Rock Caravan Park through the agent Rhys Davies, Cadnant Planning and concerned part of the foreshore and part of the holiday park.

The agents also mentioned a separate planning application for a new concrete slipway, which is still awaiting a decision.

The agent stated: “These proposals are not being developed in isolation, there is ongoing discussion with Gwynedd as the Harbour Authority and also the Crown Estate to ensure that Gimblet Rock’s proposals align with the long term [Harbour] Strategy and do not put any proposed future dredging or operational requirements at risk.

“The development entails the construction of a concrete slipway and associated turning area, and a floating pontoon to provide access to the water and a potential pick up point to allow customers at Gimblet Rock and others to be ferried across the harbour by water-craft.”

Responses in the report from council departments noted: “The council has no objection in principle to the proposed development. However, the council is aware that the site forms part of an area being considered as a potential location for a future land reclamation scheme, with the intention of creating a facility for the disposal of material dredged from the harbour

“Whilst there is no objection in principle to the proposal from an estates management perspective, it should be noted that the council is not currently in a position to commit to granting any land rights or to provide landowner consent in respect of the site in question.”

A response from the Pwllheli Harbour Master and marina manager, dated 5 August, noted the area was “a potential site for land reclamation to dispose material as part of a draft, long-term strategy”.

They added: “As a result, we would not support the intention to lease the application site until such options have been fully assessed.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Land ownership is not a matter that falls within the planning process.

“Any planning permission granted would be separate from, and would not override, the need for the landowner’s consent for development to take place on the land.”